The NYPL team rounded up the 19 books that made them laugh, cry, and everything in between. The list includes something for everyone, ranging from classics like Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to Cynthia Rylant's book of poems, "God Got a Dog."

"Watership Down" by Richard Adams

Despite the fact that Adams' novel is about a group of talking rabbits, the parallels between rabbit and human society are clear. The rabbits are in search of a new place to live in the English countryside after a land developer threatens their home.

"Simply thinking about these brave little rabbits seeking their true homes is heartening," said Jenny Baum of the Jefferson market Library.

"My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell

"My Family and Other Animals" follows the Durrell family to the Greek island of Corfu where they move after uprooting their lives in England for a warmer climate.

It tells the story of a boy Gerry as he maneuvers the history, people, and animals of the island. "...This book will make you laugh until you weep," said Virginia Bartow, special collections cataloger.

"Starry River of the Sky" by Grace Lin

Chinese folklore comes to life in this children's book that tells the story of a young boy named Rendi who's the only one to notice that the moon is missing from the sky and goes on an adventure to find out where it went.

"I will never forget the look of joy and amazement on my kids' faces when we reached the end," said Lobash.

"Alanna: The First Adventure" by Tamora Pierce

The first in a series of four, "Alana: The First Adventure" tells the story of a young girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a warrior. It blends fantasy and adventure to tell the story of the young heroine.

Whelan plans to hand the books down to her children once they're old enough for the series.

"The Out-of-Sync Child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz

Maura Muller read "The Out-of-Sync Child" after a librarian at the Mid-Manhattan library location suggested it. Muller had told her about some of the difficulties she was having with her then-4-year-old child.

The book details Sensory Processing Disorder, something Muller soon realized her son had. "Her book suggestion helped me get my son the help he needed and ten years later he's doing fine," she wrote.

"This Is Not My Hat" by Jon Klassen

"This Is Not My Hat" tells the tale of a tiny fish that steals the hat of a big fish while it's sleeping. The illustrated book then covers the fate of the fish — and the hat.

"For the warm memories of my sons acting the story out repeatedly, for their giggles as the large fish puts two and two together, for their speculation over the little thief's ultimate fate, for the younger one's fascination with the illustration, I will be forever thankful," said Joshua Soule.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

One of the most beloved holiday stories, Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is a classic. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future is cemented into holiday traditions.

Jean Harripersaud of the Bronx Library Center chose the book because "it shows that no matter how depraved and selfish we are there is hope we can be transformed into loving and kind human beings."

"Without" by Donald Hall

Hall wrote this book of poems while his wife Jane Kenyon was undergoing treatment for leukemia. She died shortly after treatment and his poems are reflective of the grief and torture of the experience.

Wayne Roylance on the selection team for the libraries said he chose "Without" because of Hall's "eloquence and ability to put into words his feelings of rage, disbelief, love, and compassion."